“It’s not a party, Victor,” Amelia breathes, her words angry and injured. “It’s a sacred ceremony, where we will be forever linked –“ “Party, ceremony, call it whatever you want,” Victor murmurs, turning away and entering his office. “Just don’t bother me with it anymore.” He sits down at his desk
“Sure, I have a moment,” I say, tucking my feet sideways beneath me. In honesty, though, I don’t have too long. The boys are downstairs waiting for their dinner and I have absolutely nothing thawed or prepped. Still, I can tell by the tension in Victor’s voice that something’s up. He sighs, a big
He hums, listening. “If you don’t, I worry that she’ll close the space between you and find ways to convince you to agree to the things that she wants, even if they’re in her best interest, not both of yours.” “Thank you,” Victor says, decisive. I jump a little at the closure and authority in his
“I mean, did we have to go across town for the burgers?” I say, running an exasperated hand through my hair as I stand on the side of the road, staring at the steaming engine of Victor’s Jeep. “We had to get the best, mom,” Alvin says sternly, ready to jump to his dad’s defense. The boys were thril
“What are you doing?” Victor asks. “Adventure,” I say, looking at him with wide eyes as if it’s obvious. “Come on!” With that, I head into the grassy meadow next to the car, which runs for what looks like miles in every direction. “Evelyn,” Victor says, his voice low with warning. “This doesn’t s
“Did you fall asleep too?” I whisper to Victor. “No,” he murmurs beside me, his voice low, luxurious. “But I might. I can’t remember the last time I was this…relaxed.” I shift myself, turning a little so that I can look at him. I can make out the curve of his long, straight nose, his firm lips, hi
Victor straightens his tie and clears his throat. God damnit, he thinks, pay attention, Victor. For the life of him, he can’t seem to keep his mind on the subject at hand. For some reason – Well, God damnit, I know the reason, he thinks, gritting his teeth – He just can’t seem to focus on the con
Victor’s eyes shift to Willard, noticing that he makes no such denial of personal conversation with Walsh. Instead, Willard’s smile grows, taking pleasure in watching Victor struggle under this new revelation. Victor’s rage grows inside him and his claws begin to emerge from his fingertips, scrapin